Phasmophobia
" Engaging cooperative psychological horror with immersive sound and varied ghosts but grind-heavy progression "
Phasmophobia Review
Phasmophobia is a unique cooperative horror game centered around ghost hunting, which has captivated a large player base with its immersive mechanics and multiplayer experience. Players appreciate the game's tension, team-based gameplay, and the variety of ghost types that keep each session feeling different. The sound design and atmosphere contribute significantly to the horror element, making it a popular choice for friends seeking scares and laughs together.
However, longtime players express frustration with the game's progression system, citing grind-heavy mechanics and a prestige system that resets progress with little meaningful reward. Updates have slowed, and some feel the developers prioritize cosmetic or minor changes over new content or mod support. The interface and inventory management have become clunky, and the lack of customization options and new maps disappoint many. Despite these issues, the game remains enjoyable, especially with friends, though its replayability is debated among the community.
Highlights
Players praise Phasmophobia's cooperative gameplay, which fosters hilarious and tense moments among friends. The game's sound design and ghost AI provide a deeply immersive and scary experience. Its variety of ghost types and unpredictable behaviors keep gameplay fresh, while the atmosphere and proximity chat enhance social interaction. The developers' commitment to updates, including events and map reworks, is also appreciated. Overall, it stands out as a pioneering title in the horror co-op genre.
Criticisms
Common criticisms include the grind-heavy progression and prestige system that many find tedious and unrewarding. The game's updates are perceived as slow and lacking substantial new content, with some players frustrated by the absence of mod support. Interface changes have made gear management cumbersome, and the limited number of maps contributes to repetitiveness. Additionally, matchmaking issues and the competitive nature of some player groups can hinder casual play. Bugs and occasional glitches, while not game-breaking, also detract from the experience.
Pros
- • Engaging cooperative gameplay that creates memorable moments with friends.
- • Immersive sound design that heightens the horror atmosphere effectively.
- • Varied ghost types with distinct behaviors keep each game unpredictable.
- • Proximity chat adds a fun social dynamic to multiplayer sessions.
- • Regular events and map reworks show ongoing developer support.
- • Easy to learn mechanics that appeal to both horror fans and casual players.
- • High replayability due to randomized ghost behavior and challenges.
Cons
- • Progression system is grind-heavy and can feel like a chore.
- • Prestige mechanic resets progress with minimal meaningful rewards.
- • Slow updates and limited new content frustrate longtime players.
- • Lack of mod support limits customization and community creativity.
- • Interface and inventory management have become clunky and tedious.
- • Few maps lead to repetitive gameplay over time.
- • Matchmaking issues and competitive player behavior hinder casual play.
Rating Criteria
Phasmophobia is a 4 player online co-op psychological horror. Paranormal activity is on the rise and it’s up to you and your team to use all the ghost-hunting equipment at your disposal in order to gather as much evidence as you can.